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THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in partnership with Ateneo de Manila University's Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI-ADMU), hosted a dissemination forum titled "Solidarity for Child Protection" at ADMU on June 16, 2025.
The forum addressed the rising cases of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and the increasing number of internally displaced children in the Philippines.
A report from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) identified the Philippines as a global center for child sexual abuse material production, with OSAEC cases tripling from 1,297,000 in 2020 to 2,740,905 in 2023.
In 2024, the Child Rights Center of the CHR published a comprehensive report on OSAEC, presenting key findings and recommendations from the commission.
Meanwhile, 9.7 million Filipino children were displaced in 2023 due to disasters and conflict, marking the highest number of child displacements globally, according to Unicef. These crises highlight the urgency of strengthening child protection policies and coordinated action among stakeholders.
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The event raised awareness and enhanced collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and media partners on critical child protection concerns.
CHR Commissioner Beda Epres, focal commissioner for Child Rights, led the discussion alongside CHR Human Rights Policy Centers Office Director Mary Joyce Crisanto, Child Rights Center Officer-in-charge Ma. Victoria Diaz, and OSCI-ADMU Director Ophalle Alzona.
As the country's Children's Ombud and sole human rights institution, the CHR remains committed to its mandate of protecting and promoting children's rights.
